In women, concentrations of DHEA-S are often measured, along with other hormones such as FSH, LH, prolactin, estrogen, and testosterone, to help diagnose polycystic ovarian syndrome and to help rule out other causes of infertility, lack of menstrual period, and the presence of excess facial and body hair.

DHEA-S levels may be ordered with other hormones to investigate and diagnose the cause of the development of masculine physical characteristics in young girls and early puberty in young boys.

Recommended for:

A DHEA-S test may be ordered to measure when a woman presents with signs and symptoms such as amenorrhea, infertility, and/or those related to virilization. These changes vary in severity and may include:

A deeper voice

Excess facial or body hair (hirsutism)

Male pattern baldness

Muscularity

Acne

Enlargement of the Adam's apple

Decreased breast size

It may also be ordered when a young girl shows signs of virilization or when a female infant has external genitalia that is not distinctly male or female in appearance.

A DHEA-S test can also measure when young boys show signs of precocious puberty, the development of a deeper voice, pubic hair, muscularity, and an enlarged penis well before the age of normal puberty.